THEATRE

Details of Merriam Theatre and the Ticket Luck value

Merriam TheatreEducation in a neat package of entertainment and cultural revival - how"s that for a deal?

In this fast paced world where people find it difficult to even find time to scratch their head, one is always in search for a place to relax while at the same time utilize their time fruitfully. What better deal than to recline in a chair and listen to sweet music within the confines of the Merriam Theatre.

Entertaining audiences, educating children and providing cultural refreshment is what Merriam theatre strives to do. It is "dedicated to creating educational initiatives to foster love and awareness of theater in children of all ages, helping them grow into engaged theatergoing adults".

The Merriam Theater strives to bring theater of outstanding quality to all segments of the population in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The Merriam Theater, located at 250 South Broad Street (Avenue of the Arts) in Philadelphia, has played an integral and entertaining role in the city's cultural life.

Since its inauguration in 1918, the theatre management has been taking active steps in providing for cultural rejuvenation for the city of Philadelphia; maintaining as its objective the educational uplifting of the upcoming generation.

The theater can seat exactly 1,870 fans on any given night. The Merriam Theater was taken over in 1972 by the Pennsylvania Musical Academy, now the University of the Arts.

Now completing its 84th year, the Merriam Theater opened on August 26th, 1918 as the Sam S. Shubert Theater. The inaugurating show was a road production of a musical from London and New York called Chu Chow Chin.

In the early years, Gershwin musicals and Al Jolson reviews graced the Shubert stage. John Barrymore played Hamlet in the 1920s and burlesque was featured in the 1930s.

Other performers included: Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr., Angela Lansbury, and Sir Laurence Olivier A renovation of a $4.1 million was proposed and accepted.

Consequently, the first two stages of the renovation of the Shubert, which included work on the theater's stage and backstage, were completed in October, 1986 and the renovation of the main hall was completed in April 1987, just in time for the Pennsylvania Ballet's performance.

In the summer of 1991, the theater was dedicated to John W. Merriam, a local entrepreneur, who was active on the Board of Directors of the University of the Arts for many years.

Since 1987, the Merriam Theater has become the number one Broadway roadhouse in Philadelphia and is also the home of the Pennsylvania Ballet, musical concerts, comedy shows, gospels and The Gilbert and Sullivan International Festival.

Access into the theatre is easy and convenient. The theatre caters to the needs of the less privileged. It consequently offers wheelchair accessible parking at the Doubletree Hotel, directly across the street from the theater.

Wheelchair access or visual / hearing impaired assistance is also available at the theatre with restrooms located on the lower level accessible through the main lobby where the elevator is situated as well.

Merriam Theater was built in 1918. It was originally named for Sam S. Shubert.However, It was renamed in 1991 for John W. Merriam, a Philadelphia developer and a friend of the University of the Arts, the theatre's new owner. This Theater had 1,790-seating capacity.This superb theater was designed by the famous architect Herbert Krapp who already had earned great reputation by designing the wonderful Forrest Theatre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Merriam Theatre was rated

7 out of 10 based on 6 rating(s)

Q:What is the merriam theater seating plan going to be like?

A:For all the details you need about the seating plain, please refer to the seating chart available on our website. Go through it in detail to book your Merriam Theatre Tickets according to the seats you want.